Beem Letter, 1863-07

Description:	Letter from Captain David Beem to his wife relating details of the battle at Gettysburg. Beem says that the First Army Corps along with a portion of the 11th Corps was badly defeated by the rebels in the first day of fighting before reinforcements arrived. Beem and his men fought as part of the 2nd Corps. Their position was constantly shelled by the enemy. Fighting intensified the following afternoon but the Union Army was able to fend off a massive wave of Confederate soldiers attacking the left side of the line of troops. Later that evening another heavy column of rebel troops stormed the center line in an effort to capture the batteries. Beem says that the Dutch in the 11th Corps ran like cowards when the rebels attacked. Beems troops then moved in to save the guns and in the process captured many prisoners. This battle resulted in the deaths of two Union officers: Corporal Isaac Norris and Sergeant John Troth. The following day saw the heaviest fighting yet as the rebels tried to break the right line of troops. Later that evening, the rebels massed their forces for one last attempt to break the Union lines. This was the bloodiest battle yet; several thousand Confederate soldiers were killed or captured. This ended three days of conflict from July 1-3. The Army of the Potomac celebrated its victory on the 4th of July. This item is part of the Indiana and the Civil War Educator Curriculum Packet. View the David Enoch Beem Civil War Materials digital collection: http://images.indianahistory.org/cdm/landingpage/collection/p16797coll48
Origin:	1863-07-05
Created By:	Beem, David Enoch, 1837-1923
Publisher:	Digital image 2005 Indiana Historical Society. All Rights Reserved. This item is part of the Indiana and the Civil War Educator Curriculum Packet.
Source:	http://images.indianahistory.org/cdm/ref/collection/dc008/id/148
Collection:	Civil War Materials
Copyright:	This image may be printed or downloaded by individuals, schools or libraries for study, research or classroom teaching without permission. For other uses contact: mailto:visualcollections@indianahistory.org
Geography:	Pennsylvania--Gettysburg
Subjects:	Gettysburg, Battle of, Gettysburg, Pa., 1863 Gettysburg Campaign, 1863 Pennsylvania--History--Civil War, 1861-1865 United States. Army of the Potomac. Corps, 2nd United States--History--Civil War, 1861-1865--Campaigns United States--History--Civil War, 1861-1865--Casualties United States--History--Civil War, 1861-1865--Personal narratives Military maneuvers Military standards Soldiers--Correspondence Troop movements

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